I haven’t had the words to write, and what I say now will probably not do her justice, but on this past Thursday, Heaven gained another smiling face. I know she’s smiling because I know how very much she loved our Father and how very happy she must be to finally be sitting at His feet, and singing His praises with the saints. I haven’t even seen her in a couple of years, and before that it had been quite a while, but that won’t ever change the impact she had on my life at a very pivitol time for me.
I was in middle school, and even though she was the mom of a good friend, she was my youth pastor’s wife, and I could confide in her anything. We laughed together. We rolled our eyes at annoying boys on the bus to church camp together. She was fun, and a good friend. I remember game nights at their house, and serious times too- of Bible study and prayer.
She was a phenominal woman. I remember hearing the news – and the words fell on my ears like a bucket of ice water being dumped on top of my head. She had cancer. I had heard about lots of people with cancer, but not her. Not someone invincible. Not Kelly.
After a long fight, she no longer has to struggle. She no longer feels the pain of living on earth in a body that had betrayed her. She’s free. And I know, without a shadow of a doubt that she is singing with the angels right now.
Thank you, Kelly, for the impact you made in my life. I’ll never forget you, and will forever be greatful.
“Thank You” by Ray Boltz
I dreamed I went to heaven
And you were there with me;
We walked upon the streets of gold
Beside the crystal sea.
We heard the angels singing
Then someone called your name.
You turned and saw the young man
And he was smiling as he came.
And he said, “Friend you may not know me now.”
And then he said, “But wait,
You used to teach my Sunday School
When I was only eight.
And every week you would say a prayer
Before the class would start.
And one day when you said that prayer,
I asked Jesus in my heart.”
Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am so glad you gave.
Then another man stood before you
And said, “Remember the time
A missionary came to your church
And his pictures made you cry.
You didn’t have much money,
But you gave it anyway.
Jesus took the gift you gave
And that’s why I am here today.”
Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am so glad you gave.
One by one they came
Far as the eye could see.
Each life somehow touched
By your generosity.
Little things that you had done,
Sacrifices made,
Unnoticed on the earth
In heaven, now proclaimed.
And I know up in heaven
You’re not supposed to cry.
But I am almost sure
There were tears in your eyes.
As Jesus took your hand
And you stood before the Lord.
He said, “My child, look around you.
Great is your reward.”
Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am so glad you gave.
Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am so glad you gave.
Copyright 1988 Gaither Music/ASCAP All rights reserved.
Butterbees and Bumbleflies 